The Commercial and The Rest of The Story

From our.marines.com

We traveled to 10 different states and 15 locations across the U.S. to create the "America's Marines" commercial. In the process, we captured so much incredible footage, we made the extended version featured here. If you haven't watched it yet, please do, and then come back to this blog when you're done.

The commercial includes amazing locations, powerful images of proud Marines and the discipline that makes them The Few, The Proud. We hope that you feel equally proud that these noble men and women are defending our nation.

But the America's Marines story is much bigger than 60 or even 90 seconds of video can describe. So we are using this web site to gather, collect and share individual stories of people we met and events we attended throughout our tour. From former Marines to relatives of Marines, and from combat veterans to proud Americans, the people who came out to meet us made it abundantly clear that the Marine Corps is much more than a branch of the military – it is a way of life.

Listen to the words of Mike Lyons as he describes the difference between his own service as a draftee and his son's choice to enlist in the Marine Corps:

"I was drafted," he said. "My son enlisted in the Marine Corps without any help from me. There being no draft, he is truly a volunteer."

It is this lure of the Marine Corps the brought more than 250 people out in Columbia, TN. They sat through several hours of television production so they could spend time interacting with Marines in the town square. And the Marines made sure everyone who wanted a picture or a handshake got what they came for.

There were many unexpected moments that words fail to fully capture, like Marines stopping to visit the memorial and console the family of Lance Corporal Nicklas Palmer in Leadville, Colorado. Or a group of Marines sharing their time and taking a group picture with Diane Layfield in San Francisco.

Her son, LCpl. Travis Layfield, died in a rescue mission nearly four years ago. Before he deployed, LCpl. Layfield told his mother that the Marines were part of his family now. She has honored that by helping other Marine parents coping with loss.

At stop after stop, it was clear that "Once a Marine, always a Marine" is so much more than a mantra. Art Karin made sure we never will forget that.

Mr. Karin, a 68-year-old former Lance Corporal, came from Keyport, N.J. to Times Square at 2 a.m. to attend the production. Mr. Karin's attendance was especially poignant, as the former Marine lost his vision 15 years ago.

"I don't see much, but there's something about being around Marines that just puts me at ease," he said. "I can't see these guys, but if I can stand here and just listen. I can see more than most of these other people ever will."

Our.Marines.com will continue to tell the stories of America's Marines. But we need you to tell us your story. If you're a Marine, or former Marine, share with us your motivation for serving. If you're the relative of a Marine, or have been affected by the Marines, please share with us why it matters.